There is no denying that technology is all around us. It shapes our daily lives and how businesses function, and because of this, it has touched every field, including healthcare, finance, marketing, fashion, etc. Thus, employers are on the lookout for professionals with exceptional tech skills.
According to recent research published by Gallup and Amazon Web Services (AWS), workers possessing advanced tech skills earn approximately 49% more than those individuals who do not incorporate tech skills in their job roles. So, it makes sense if you wish to secure a job in the tech industry.
Are you curious to know which tech skills are a must to develop to boost your career prospects in the field? Below is the list of six tech skills that will be in demand by 2024:
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Answer this. How often do you converse with chatbots or send virtual commands to Alexa or Siri? Probably, quite often, right? We don’t even realize how much ML and AI have significantly impacted our daily lives in recent years.
Machine learning is one of the aspects of artificial intelligence that enables computers to make well-informed decisions using data, and that too without programming. Learning the basics of ML and AI is crucial for ambitious tech professionals.
Fortunately, plenty of tools and resources online can help you in this endeavor. Enrolling in an AI ML bootcamp can help you become familiar with basic concepts you can apply in practical settings as you advance your knowledge. The bootcamp will allow you to gain basic to advanced knowledge and skills to prepare you for real-world challenges.
2. Cybersecurity
There is no denying that the world is going digital quickly. And while this is good news, it also poses serious threats to online users. That is where the role of cybersecurity comes into play.
Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated with each passing day. These malicious cyber attackers gain access to networks or systems and can threaten users’ sensitive data. For this reason, organizations are always looking to invest in cybersecurity to protect their assets from cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity serves as a modern shield for our digital lives. As a professional, you must have in-depth knowledge of operating systems and virtual machines, network administration, cloud security, risk analysis, etc. Top careers with cybersecurity skills include Cybersecurity Engineer, Penetration Tester, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Security Architect, etc.
3. Blockchain
Blockchain technology documents information in such a way that makes it incredibly challenging to alter or access the system. Although this disruptive technology has found its application in Bitcoin, it has now become useful for other purposes.
Developers can use this technology in supply chain management to minimize the risk of fraud and errors and enhance transparency. Additionally, this ground-breaking technology can revolutionize the world of decentralized finance (DeFi); it can help establish trustless financial systems. It can also safeguard digital identities, offering more authority to individuals to manage their data and privacy.
Today, the need for blockchain developers across various industries is rapidly growing. The market will increase from $17.57 billion in 2023 to $469.69 billion in 2030.
4. UI/UX design
User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) have both gained popularity recently. The reason is that users often don’t take seriously any brand that does not have a strong online presence. Hence, the brand’s public face might be a mobile app, website, social media, etc.
So, what exactly is UI/UX? In simpler terms, UI design focuses on the look and feel, ensuring the elements visually appeal to the users. On the other hand, UX design is all about focusing on the overall user experience, including user satisfaction and seamless navigation.
To perform your best on the job, you must learn prototyping, wireframing, user flows, design software, application development, information architecture, and much more. Product Designer, User Researcher, Usability Analyst, Information Architect, and Interaction Designer are some of the best career paths for people with UI/UX skills.
5. Data science and analysis
In today’s data-driven world, it comes as no surprise that most companies gather huge amounts of data. The data comes from various sources, such as from the internal system, customers, suppliers, etc. Professionals who can transform the raw data and derive valuable insights from it are desired talents. These insights can help companies make well-informed decisions.
Do you know that while 90% of business leaders believe data literacy is the key to success, only a quarter of workers feel confident in their skills? And this gives you all the more reasons to become a data-driven problem solver.
Every data wizard must learn statistical analysis, data wrangling, data visualization, and machine learning. Job titles include Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Architect, Data Scientist, etc. In a nutshell, embracing this skill will allow you to have an exciting and fulfilling career.
6. Cloud computing
Cloud computing has completely revamped how businesses function, offering a secure, reliable, and cost-effective way to store and monitor data. Cloud computing services entail providing services such as servers, software, analytics, databases, networking, and storage via the Internet in an accessible manner.
According to the data, global cloud spending will likely reach $1.35 trillion by 2027. As most businesses worldwide view cloud migration as a vital step in their digital transformation journey, cloud computing will emerge as a driving force for the development and modernization of organizations.
However, to simplify this growth and expansion, businesses are looking for top-tier individuals who are well-versed in database management, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud. Not only this, but people should also possess a solid understanding of technical applications and programming languages. This way, they can land cloud computing specialist job titles like Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Software Architect, Cloud System Administrator, and DevOps Cloud Engineer.
Conclusion
While it is true that some technologies emerge, other times they become obsolete. However, one thing is for sure – the abovementioned tech skills will likely remain relevant in the foreseeable future. Thus, developing any of these skills can help you unlock your potential and prove your value in the professional world. That said, tech skills go hand in hand with soft skills. Neglecting either of them can impede your career success.